Scottish Enterprise chairman visits science enterprises in Midlothian
Crawford Gillies, the Chairman of Scottish Enterprise was the latest in a series of national business leaders and Government Ministers to visit Midlothian recently.
His visit to Pentlands Science Park and the Moredun Research Institute at Edinburgh Science Triangle’s Midlothian Campus was arranged as part of a programme of invitations by Midlothian Council to key decision-makers to visit Midlothian and to see at first hand many of the innovative business developments that are currently underway or planned in the area in the life sciences and animal biosciences sectors.
Pentlands Science Park is home to 23 organisations – including the Moredun Foundation and its subsidiary companies, as well as a number of diagnostic and biotechnology companies. The Moredun Research Institute is the largest tenant within the park’s International Research Centre. Pentlands Science Park and the Moredun Research Institute are members of the Edinburgh Science Triangle project.
During his visit, Mr Gillies discussed a number of economic development issues with Professor Julie Fitzpatrick ( Moredun Chief Executive and Scientific Director ), Colin Burnett ( Moredun Group Finance Director ), Juan Escala ( Moredun Scientific Managing Director ), George Walker ( Park Manager ) and Midlothian Council representatives.
Earlier, Mr Gillies was welcomed by Councillor Russell Imrie, Midlothian Council’s cabinet member for Strategic Services, who said; “Thanks to the role of the Edinburgh Science Triangle project, and also because Pentlands Science Park and the Moredun institute are based here – Midlothian is joint home to one of the world’s top 20 ‘super science-campus’ sites for research and development in the life-sciences and animal biosciences economic sectors.
“These are two of the key sectors which we hope will continue to develop and to spin out high-quality, high-value jobs over the next decade as we work towards our ’20-20 vision’ of creating up to 10,000 new jobs in Midlothian by the end of the decade.
“Scottish Enterprise has a much-valued role to play in helping us achieve our ‘20-20 vision’ and I was delighted to welcome Crawford and his colleague Linda McPherson (Scottish Enterprise Regional Director) on their ‘look and learn’ visit to Midlothian.”
Crawford Gillies, chairman, Scottish Enterprise said: "I found the visit very stimulating. It was a great opportunity to both see and hear about Midlothian’s aspirations in these important sectors for Scotland. There are many areas for SE and SDI to work in partnership with Midlothian Council to support their goals of increasing high-value jobs over the next 10 years and we look forward to continuing to do so."